Carlsbad man arrested for discharging weapon

CARLSBAD >> Police arrested a Carlsbad man who allegedly discharged his firearm Sunday near the Best Western Stevens Inn.

According to the criminal complaint, Billy Hedgecock Jr., 23, told police a female relative was involved in an argument with another woman when an unidentified man displayed a gun.

Hedgecock said he urged the female relative and another woman into his vehicle. Hedgecock told police that he fired two shots into the air from a semi-automatic pistol when the other man approached his vehicle.

Police say Hedgecock then fled south on Canal Street in a white Chevy Blazer. When officers who heard the shots attempted to stop the vehicle, Hedgecock fled to San Jose Boulevard, where he pulled over near Kircher Street.

Hedgecock and the two female passengers got out of the vehicle with their hands up according to the criminal complaint, and police located the weapon in the backseat of the vehicle.

Hedgecock has been charged with negligent use of a deadly weapon and resisting, evading or obstructing an officer. Police said Hedgecock said he had been drinking before the shooting occurred.